He Said/She Said: Valentine’s Day Edition

He said: 

Being single on Valentine’s Day seems like it’s the end of the world for many… but is it? Although it isn’t ideal to be single on the one day that is all about love, it also isn’t necessary to feel completely depressed and alone. There is no reason to envy all the happy couples around you just because you’re spending the day without a significant other. Let’s be honest, there are a lot more horrible things that could be happening to you than being single on Valentine’s Day.

If you’re a single guy on Valentine’s Day, chill out. Who cares about the couples and what they are doing? Definitely try to have a night out with friends whether it’s hanging out at someone’s house or going out to eat and watching an action packed movie. No girls, no problem, and definitely—no drama.

At least you’re not going to be the guy who has to buy and carry around the unoriginal large stuffed animal and box of chocolates. Treat the day as you would any other day and remember there’s nothing wrong with a date with Netflix. Or, head to the gym and workout to clear your mind. You’re single, so do whatever you want to enjoy yourself.

Enjoy the fact that you are single and don’t have to fulfill obligations for someone else. Don’t let anyone make you feel bad about being single. Respond with the fact that you are happy to be able to live your life without constantly making compromises with a girlfriend.

Statistics reveal that 43 percent or 96 million of the people living in the US are single. You’re not alone and there are plenty of other single people experiencing Valentine’s Day, too. Resist the pressure to couple up if it doesn’t happen to be the time for you.

Obviously for a single guy, Valentine’s Day is going to be annoying because you are bombarded with romantic TV shows, flowers and hearts inside every store, but you’re going to have to deal with it. So always remember that there is nothing wrong with being single on Valentine’s Day.

She said:

Everyone knows that being single is not always ideal. Everyone knows that it is especially not ideal to be single on the one day of the year where the limelight is on love and only love (aka Valentine’s Day). And quite frankly, those of us in relationships also know that the phrases “forever alone” and “Single People’s Awareness Day” are annoying and unnecessary. Other snide remarks aimed at the happy couples fit in this category as well.

Not only are these phrases bothersome and needless, they are also not entirely true. If you make it to 90-years-old without ever having a significant other, go ahead and say “forever alone” all you want. If you are not 90-years-old, keep your comments to yourself.

The chances of an individual being single for their entire life (against their wishes) are slim to none. While statistics say that 61% of people over 18 are single and have never been married, that doesn’t mean that they have never been in a relationship. Even if they haven’t been in relationship, that’s okay too. Not everyone is meant to get married and live happily ever after.

Also, let’s have a little reality check. This is high school. This is nowhere near the end of your life. The life expectancy of for the average US citizen is 79.4. If you are a high school student, then you are mostly likely between the ages of 14 and 18. That means that there are still 61.4 to 65.4 more years for you to find your potential soul mate. And if I’m not mistaken, that is plenty of time.

So a word of advice from the wise on Valentine’s to the single ladies and gentlemen out there would be to get over it and be thankful for the couples in your life who provide an example of a working relationship and love for you to look up to. Also, remember that some people do not have a mother on Mother’s Day or a father on Father’s Day. So, in the big scheme of things, not having a valentine on Valentine’s Day 2013 is not going to ruin your life.

Anyway, who knows, next year it could be you in a beautiful and lasting relationship, while the couples who are so in love this year are broken up and lonely. Don’t succumb to self-pity because society has told you that you need a date the night of February 14 and you don’t have one; it happens to the best of us.